Berries & Ink/Issues/Berries-01-05

Publication: Berries & Ink

Volume: 01

Issue: 05

Issue Date: July 1, 2024

Contributors: Eruwyn, Crobin, Shaylynne, Kethrai, Dantia, Shaoimhe, Miskton, Golameth, Nawain, Valynn, Cythra, Jaelia

Editor: Illiya

You tap a colorfully illuminated parchment. A blob of berry-red wax is affixed to the parchment. It is imprinted with a plump strawberry nestled in a crown of delicate leaves.

[~* Vibrant watercolor strawberries grace the top of the page, depicting a basket overflowing with plump, juicy fruits interspersed with inkpots and feather quills around an unfurled scroll hand-lettered in a playful script: *~] Berries & Ink - Volume 1, Issue 5 [~* Editor's Note *~] Welcome back, dear readers, to another soothing cup of Berries & Ink. With wild magic whirling all around us, the world feels--unpredictable, to say the least. But fear not! Within these pages, you can find a haven from the chaos. This month, we're thrilled to welcome three amazing new voices to our ever-growing family: Kethrai, Miskton, and Valynn! They join your beloved favorites, providing a comforting escape from the world's mayhem. Grab your favorite beverage, settle into a cozy corner, and let the magic of words and flavors unfold! ~Cheers, Illiya [~* Twin apple tree branches abloom with pale pink petals embrace the words "Guess Who? by Eruwyn Cholares" *~] A pint-sized Elothean woman perches delicately upon a garden bench, her dreamy sea-green eyes artfully enhanced by a pair of white-rimmed spectacles that hold a faint glitter as if dusted by gemstones. Adorable dimples show in an aristocratic face as she smiles down at the open, heart-shaped locket she holds in one hand, the tilt of her chin allowing a tumble of wavy, strawberry-hued hair to fall across her shoulders to show off her locks' golden-dyed tips. Her curvaceous form is clad in a green gown wound in flora almost as if she were a part of the garden's lushness. Half hidden within the shadows behind and to her right is a figure that can only barely be made out, though the shapes hint at a Prydaen male. (Last month's portrait: Miskton. Winner: Damiza. Mail in your guess for this month! The winner will be revealed next issue.) [~* The Adventures of Lavacano Gator, Ch. 4: The Fierce Protector by Crobin Yuanfen *~] Leaving Dirge, Lavacano stumbled onto a commotion on the bustling trade road. He saw a towering Gor'tog named Sekmeht, a Barbarian wielding a massive zweihander, defending a caravan from marauding bandits. Rage burned in Sekmeht's eyes, yet his movements were precise and controlled, expertly defending the traders. Bandits fell left and right, unable to penetrate his formidable defense. Lavacano watched in awe, marveling at the Gor'tog's masterful display of controlled fury. As the last of the bandits fled, Lavacano cautiously approached Sekmeht. "How do you fight with such rage, yet remain so controlled?" Sekmeht's intense expression softened slightly. "The rage is a tool," he replied. "It must be harnessed, not allowed to control you. Focus and discipline turn fury into strength." Lavacano nodded, absorbing the wisdom. "Thank you. I hope to fight with such skill one day." Sekmeht offered a rare, approving nod. Reaching into his pack, he pulled out a finely crafted riste and handed it to Lavacano. "Take this," he said. "May it aid you on your journey. Control your rage, and you will find your strength." With gratitude in his heart, Lavacano accepted the riste. Inspired and determined, he set off once more, eager to master the lessons he had learned and make his mark on the world. [~* Seasonal Stargazing with Shaylynne *~] Moliko the Balance: Did you stop and smell the roses or blame Opisekh? The former may find treasure and gold, those casting blame will see shame reflected two fold. Skullcleaver the Dwarven Axe: We said get some sun, not that much, ow! Support an alchemist and buy aloe (skin-EW). It will soothe the skin, unfortunately not a propensity to partake in too much of a good thing. Dolefaren the Brigantine: The winds favor a faraway sail. Beware, the trip back will be doubly long and hard. The risk will be worth the reward. Nissa the Maiden: The Maiden who cares for others will go against the grain and tend to themselves. Nothing is more nourishing than Ain Ghazal's mountaintop resort - Inner Beauty makeovers, River Fisher dinners, and relaxing spas. Satisfaction not guaranteed as this prediction comes courtesy of a well-placed offering to this stargazer. [~* Chatter Box with Kethrai! *~] Here I'll serve tidbits of study on the languages of the realms. I hope these little tastes will encourage your appetite for communication and culture. TECHALARA: Prydaen wordplay mashing up overlapping sounds into new words with related or ironic meanings. The game's name is one example, from the words TECHALA (crossroads) + HALARA (play). Some more: * MIBARO (old) + ROTARE (root): MIBAROTARE (stubborn person) * RIHRAIBAI (wise) + BAIDEPAI (truth): RIHRAIBAIDEPAI (gossip) * DOVRACHAI (day) + CHAIDINA (wound): DOVRACHAIDINA (hangover) * YOLARU (seagull) + ARUFADA (kiss): YOLARUFADA (to steal food, i.e. off a friend's plate when they're not looking) Now enjoy the rest of your NATIPO (red) + POHAKA (fruit): NATIPOHAKA (strawberries) and GRUKACHA (pen) + CHANADI (dance): GRUKACHANADI (scribbles)! [~* A winding dashed line spells "Dantia's Destinations" and ends in a bright red X *~] Delve into the depths beneath Zaulfung Swamp to uncover the legacy of Maelshyve, the enigmatic demi-goddess whose influence once plagued the land. Within her Inner Sanctum lie 3 fearsome weapons, lovingly polished by her lingering minions. Spineripper: A delicate silver hand-scythe, crafted for swift, lethal strikes, promising a gruesome fate to its victims. Blight Fist: A gargantuan animite-studded maul, with a massive steel head oozing a suspicious green slime. Mortal's Folly: A jagged bone broadsword reinforced with molded obsidian and adorned with a petrified kobold claw. But beware, for the remnants of her influence linger, and the darkness she embodied still stirs in the depths of her fortress. Will you dare to claim these relics, or will they become the instruments of your undoing? [~* A stack of delectable-looking tarts are drawn piled against the words "Sweet and Savory by Shaoimhe Bramblebairn" *~] I would like to address something dear to my heart - Tart Wives. Before we begin, I am well aware of what "marriage" is and its many forms! So bear with me as I offer my own version for consideration. To me, love is boundless, and I believe that we should do everything we can to share that love in our own unique ways. To no one's surprise, I express this specifically with...tarts. As I do not know if or when a romantic partner will come my way, I realized I would be happiest sharing good tarts with good people. And so with some (only slightly underhanded) tart dispersal, I began collecting Tart Wives. These are simply dear friends of any race, gender, age...who I strive to make happy by providing love, support, and tarts. How do you show your love? [~* A drawing of a cocktail glass sits at an angle next to the words "The Grey Expanse by Miskton Ramahk" *~] 8 parts gin 2 parts cherry liqueur 1 part violet liqueur 3 parts lemon juice 1 egg white 1 cherry Shake first 5 ingredients with ice and fine strain, preferably into a chilled glass, then drop in the cherry. To achieve the correct color I would recommend using a gin that does not have any infusions or coloration to it, and be precise on the violet liqueur. The intended color is a light grey, but it's easy to end up with a faint purple. This drink was inspired by some unfortunate trips into the Astral Plane, and how the Grey Expanse can sneak up on you if you aren't careful, much like the potency of this drink. [~* The Mana is Falling by Golameth War'Child *~] A brightly inked cartoon depicts a scene of a terrible storm swirling across the page, flinging scrolls and runestones like scattered leaves. Lightning cracks the sky, illuminating a colossal figure perched atop a precarious mountain of runestones. This behemoth, hair standing on end like an electric crown, casually pops runestones in his mouth with a maniacal grin etched across his face. Lurking in the shadows, a stealthy figure peeks out with pasabas in hand, posed to ambush an unsuspecting victim. Scattered around the storm-wracked landscape, a group of flamboyantly dressed mages, their pointed hats ablaze with magical flames, run aroud in comic panic, flailing their hands in the air. [~* Mrod's Tears by Nawain Augtaire *~] When the rain fell hard, my father would bow his head, cup his hands, and let the rain pool there. He poured the water over his head til it ran down his face like tears. "Mrod, the Sky-father, gathers the souls of our dead and leads them to the Great Pack," he told me. "It is he who sees how each of his children leaves the living world, and it is he who bears those stories for all time. Even he grieves from time to time, and we grieve with him." "When Mrod weeps, we gather his tears, and accept a small part of his grief into ourselves. Though we can only share a minute part of his vast sorrow, we are many. We each carry a tiny bit of the burden he bears as thanks for the vast weight he carries." In this time of troubled Divinity, let us offer our thanks for the vast weight our Gods carry, and support them in whatever small way we can. [~* Elven Epicurean Explorations by Valynn *~] A simple picnic table, some towering trees, and a delightful repast await you in Langenfirth at the infamous meeting bin. Start your snack adventure with a trio of chicken or beef jerky and peccary skins--spicy versus rich and chewy versus supreme crunch, all with a satisfying saltiness. Follow that up with a plump and juicy boar sausage generously seasoned with cloves and fresh tarragon. You'll need to wash all that down and clean your palate with a glass of crystal spring water. Now, complete your snacking foray with a pair of sweet treats, s'mores and honey-drizzled bread or a health-conscious berry and bran muffin. My personal choice would be the chocolate s'mores, a perfect balance of sweet and gooey designed to make you drool. Pull up a seat, take a moment to breathe, and enjoy a snack. [~* Better than Sometimes by Cythra Feralclaw *~] Sometimes, I miss her so bad. Sometimes, I feel so sad. Sometimes, I think I'll go mad. But I'm feeling better than sometimes. Sometimes, I feel so much pain, Sometimes, in my heart and my brain. Sometimes, it's really a drain. But I'm feeling better than sometimes. She is the girl I adore. The one with the sparkling eyes. She's who I live my life for. She is my paradise. She can make my heart soar, Lifting me up to the skies. But today's not one of those sometimes. Sometimes, I miss her so bad. Sometimes, I feel so sad. Sometimes, I think I'll go mad. Everyday is one of those sometimes. [~* Community Commentary by Mother Jaelia Evensong *~] Chatters that Matters: Find a few people, a casual place like a bar, and invite others to come join you to hang out and chat! During these times its important to share and keep up on information. But it's also just as important to relax, have fun, and keep our community connections strong. Change it Up: There is a lot of change going on! When you have some downtime, consider some lower key change of your own. Is it time to clean out some vaults and donate them to the Community Chest in the Xings Cleric Guild, to various groups who give out prizes, or other creative ideas? How about sharing a list of items and standing at the Carousel Square or elsewhere for others to and grab items during a set period of time? Is there someone you really dislike for some reason? Just remember that continuing to let them take up space in your mind is giving them power. Even in private gossip. Find some better gossip. Go shopping, start a new hobby, meet some new people, help plan an event you would enjoy to host or host with someone else in the future! Reaching Across the Isles: Need a change of pace? Want to explore something new? Consider a trip to the Islands! Have a Ship? Grab a group and offer to take others. Or just do a spontaneous Ship Social. It's time to SEAS the Day, and try experimenting with the Mana and Streams in a different location to see what results we might find! [~* Thank you for reading! Look out for more juicy bites next month! *~]